Environmental Educator

The University of Virginia's Blandy Experimental Farm seeks a full-time Environmental Educator to work with our preK-12 education programs. Blandy Experimental Farm is a 700-acre University of Virginia ecological field station located in Boyce, Virginia in the Northern Shenandoah Valley about 10 miles east of Winchester and 60 miles west of Washington, D.C.  Our mission is to increase understanding of the natural environment through research and education. The State Arboretum of Virginia, located within Blandy Experimental Farm, is a public garden displaying more than 5,500 trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants in a diversity of habitats including woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and open fields.

The Environmental Educator will:

• Serve as an essential instructor for our diverse population of students from urban, rural, and suburban school divisions as well as private and home schools.
• Set up and break down teaching stations and prepare and maintain teaching supplies.
• Assist with annual program review and revisions; especially collaborating with other Environmental Educator team members in adapting our existing education resources to better serve diverse preK-12 audiences.
• Collaborate with members of the Environmental Education Team to brainstorm, create, test, evaluate, and revise rigorous new education programs.
• Help plan and serve as an instructor in professional development programs enhancing the science knowledge and teaching skills of preK-12 and environmental educators.
• Engage in administrative tasks such as helping to maintain our annual program data and preparing school division contact lists.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

The ideal candidate:

• Has a degree in a natural science or education field.
• Has at least one year of experience teaching environmental education in an outdoor setting. Equivalent experience, such as classroom teaching with a strong emphasis on outdoor instruction, is relevant.
• Has created and taught outdoor science lessons based on national or state standards of learning.
• Has proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and Google apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms).
• Has energy, enthusiasm, and passion for teaching and nature.
• Is excited about being part of a dynamic education team and possesses a collaborative work style.
• Thrives in a fast-paced teaching environment.
• Has an open mindset and embraces change.  We frequently adapt our program content based on grade level, learning needs, and requests from teachers.
• Is life-long learner who enjoys learning about natural history and gaining additional teaching skills.
• Is safety-oriented for the well-being of students, teachers, the Environmental Education Team, and yourself.
• Has a valid driver’s license

Qualified candidates must have:

Education: Bachelor's degree

Experience: At least one year of experience. In lieu of a degree, a combination of five years of relevant education and/or experience may be considered

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $44,300 - $47,000 annually ($21.32-$22.60/hour) commensurate with education and experience.

Physical Demands:

The employee in this position will teach outdoors in all types of Virginia weather, during all seasons of the year. Must be able to stand and move for prolonged periods (up to 7 hours) and walk distances of up to 3 miles/day in various types of terrain (e.g., flat, hilly, sloped, wetlands, forest, meadow). This job requires lifting and carrying up to 50lbs. This position also requires computer and desk work.

 Application Instructions:

External applicants need to apply online at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs. Internal applicants must apply via their UVA Workday profile. Search for 'Find Jobs' and enter the job requisition number R0065635. All candidates need to submit the online application along with the following required documents.

• Cover Letter (summarize your relevant experience and why you would be a good addition to the Blandy Education Team)
• Current CV/Resumé
• Contact information for three professional references.
•  A portfolio submission will be required if you are selected for an interview. [examples of your teaching; lesson plan example(s) that you have created for preK-12 audiences; digital or pdf format preferred]. 

Applications that are incomplete or missing required documents will not receive full consideration.

Application review will begin on October 18, 2024, and the position will remain open until 5:00 pm October 25, 2024.

This position is not eligible for remote work.  This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.  This full-time position is eligible for University Staff benefits https://hr.virginia.edu/benefits

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.  References will be completed via UVa’s standardized process Skill Survey.  A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

Questions about this position? Contact Candace Lutzow-Felling, cjl6b@virginia.edu
Questions about the application process? Contact Rich Haverstrom, rkh6j@virginia.edu

Lecturer - REU Program Coordinator (Faculty Wage)

The University of Virginia seeks a Lecturer to serve as the Coordinator for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site Program at Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce VA. The REU program will run from May 27 – August 1, 2025. This summer program immerses 10 undergraduate students in innovative research projects and guides them toward careers in science by providing trained research mentors and an inclusive, supportive environment that allows students to gain confidence in their abilities. This will be achieved through a combination of welcoming social events, skill-development workshops, high-quality mentoring, and exposure to a complete research experience. In addition to coordinating general program activities, the REU Program Coordinator is expected to closely mentor the research of one student.

Blandy Experimental Farm is a 700-acre ecological field station located in the northern Shenandoah Valley, about 10 miles east of Winchester and 60 miles west of Washington, D.C. Its mission is to increase understanding of the natural environment through research and education.

Blandy supports research by providing a wide range of habitats (woodlots, successional fields, pastures, and ponds) and modern facilities (laboratory, greenhouse, housing, and equipment). Blandy is home to a vibrant research community and members of the summer community enjoy a weekly research seminar series and social events.

The REU Program Coordinator is responsible for scheduling and organizing group research, educational, and social activities, leading approximately two field trips, overseeing collaboration between the REU students and Blandy staff, and leading a workshop on Research Ethics. The Coordinator works closely with research faculty and Blandy staff to ensure a safe, inclusive, orderly, and positive experience.

The Coordinator serves as research mentor for one REU student. The process for mentoring includes guiding the development of an innovative research project and closely advising the student through the writing and defending of a research proposal, completion of the research project, and written and oral presentation of findings. A candidate who would use this opportunity to build a productive research program, including encouraging mentees to present their research at scientific conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals, is preferred. While the Coordinator remains responsible for group dynamics throughout the program, time available for research typically increases over the summer due to front-loading of program activities.

The Coordinator’s research will be supported through access to research facilities (laboratory and greenhouse) and a small research budget. The Coordinator will live on-site during the REU program, so faculty housing in a two bedroom cottage is provided.

REU Program Coordinator responsibilities:

• Schedule and organize group educational, research, and social activities.
• Provide orientations to the students on residential life at Blandy, the objectives and format of the program, the process of mentor selection, and other important program elements if needed.
• Lead workshop on Research Ethics.
• Collaborate with faculty to determine the matching of students with mentors.
• Coordinate the guest hosting of visiting seminar speakers by the REU students.
• Lead approximately two outdoor excursions such as hikes or canoeing trips.
• Act as a primary contact for students outside of regular work hours and respond to problems as needed.
• Schedule, organize, and moderate the research forum in which the students give their final research presentations.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Research Mentor responsibilities:

• Mentor one REU student through a complete research experience from the conception of innovative research and study design to the dissemination of results.
• Work with students to resolve problems with research projects as needed.
• Participate in a mentor-training workshop along with other research mentors.

Requirements:

• Master of Science (MS) or terminal degree in biology, ecology, or a related field; Ph.D. is highly preferred.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience working at a field station or similar research facility, and to candidates with teaching and research experience in a higher education setting. 
• A successful candidate will be interested in developing a research program at Blandy and will be highly collaborative, able to multi-task, problem solve, and handle multiple competing priorities.
• A well-qualified candidate will have the ability to interact positively with faculty, staff, and students, and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are a must. 

Physical Demands:
This job involves use of a computer, but also requires the ability to walk to field sites outdoors in all weather conditions (extreme heat, humidity, cold, etc.).

Application Instructions:

Apply through Workday https://jobs.virginia.edu/us/en​ and search for R0064611. Submit an application online and attach a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for two professional references (name, address, email address, telephone number).

Application review will begin on 01/15/2025.

This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Questions about this position? Contact Kyle Haynes, haynes@virginia.edu

Questions about the application process? Contact askhr@virginia.edu